HDTVs have high resolutions that yield incredibly lifelike pictures, wide screens to accommodate the 16:9 aspect ratio of HD programming and DVD movies, and Dolby Digital decoding for theater-quality audio. Here are the choices--flat-panel or projection, you can't go wrong.

Flat-panel LCD TVs: LCD flat-panels offer bright, crisp picture quality, are highly energy-efficient, have 60,000-hour life spans, and come in a range of screen sizes, though all under 50 inches.

Flat-panel plasma TVs: Plasma flat-panels have extremely accurate picture detail, high brightness, wide viewing angles, and large, wall-mountable screens--from 37 to over 60 inches.

Projection TVs: Your big-screen choices are CRT, LCD, DLP, and LCoS. The first two are tried-and-true technologies; DLP and LCoS are hot microdisplay technologies that provide superb picture detail and brightness in lighter-weight cabinets.

Read our HDTV buying guide

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